Jul 28th  

Fire Over England**      

(GB 1937)                       

London Films/Pendennis. 92m.

In 1587 a dashing servant to Queen Elizabeth I helps spy on the Spanish court to help defeat the Armada.

Fascinating early precursor to Henry V as well as Vivien Leigh's later role in Gone with the Wind, a historical adventure also speaking out indirectly at the threatening Nazi menace, directed in workmanlike fashion with some notable performances from emerging stars, and very grand looking, almost emulating Hollywood.

Written by: Clemence Dane, Sergei Nolbandov.

Producers: Erich Pommer, Alexander Korda.

Director: William K. Howard.

Starring: Flora Robson, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Banks, Tamara Desni, Morton Selten, Raymond Massey, Lyn Harding, Henry Oscar, Donald Calthrop, Charles Carson, James Mason, Robert Newton.

Photography: James Wong Hoe.

Music: Richard Addinsell.

Art Direction: Lazare Meerson.

Preceded by: 

Toyland**

(Spielzeugland)

(Ger 2007. A boy wants to play piano with his Jewish friend. Her mother tries to rescue them both from the Nazis.; w: Johann A. Bunners, Jochen Alexander Freydank; d: Jochen Alexander Freydank; s: Julia Jager, Cedric Eich, Tamay Bulut Oztavan, Torsten Michaelis.)

Aug 27th
The Private Life of Henry VIII***    
(GB 1933)                                           
United Artists/London Films. 97m. bw

In the 16th century King Henry works his way through four further wives after divorcing Katherine of Aragon and executing Anne Boleyn.
A notable event in British cinema, for the best and worst of reasons: a fine semi-comedic vehicle for Laughton allowing him moments of deep pathos, even though its structure is uneven and important characters disappear from the narrative - but lavishly presented, becoming the first major British film to American audiences, in the same royal soap opera heritage style that we have endured since.

Written by: Lajos Biro, Arthur Wimperis.
Producer/Director: Alexander Korda.
Starring: Charles Laughton, Merle Oberon (Anne Boleyn), Wendy Barrie (Jane Seymour), Binnie Barnes (Catherine Howard), Robert Donat (Thomas Culpepper), Elsa Lanchester (Anne of Cleves), Franklin Dyall (Thomas Cromwell), Everley Gregg (Catherine Parr), Claud Allister, Lady Tree, Hay Petrie.
Photography: Georges Perinal.
Music: Kurt Schroeder.
Production Design: Vincent Korda.

+ HENRY (Laughton): "Am I a king or a breeding bull?"
"Six wives! And the best of 'em's the worst!"